Political parties have approved a draft procedure prepared by the National Electoral Board of Ethiopia (NEBE) to conduct and regulate the upcoming negotiations and discussions between the incumbent, the Ethiopian People’s Revolutionary Democratic Front (EPRDF), and the oppositionThe Reporter has learnt.

The Ethiopian Federal Democratic Unity Forum (Medrek) – a coalition of four political parties which conducted its 15th general assembly a week ago – has asserted that the ongoing political problems and disarray in the country will not be solved by the lone efforts of the ruling Ethiopian Peoples’ Revolutionary Democratic Front (EPRDF) and called for the establishment of a national unity government.

Deputy Chief of Staff of the Ethiopian National Defense Forces (ENDF) and Head of Military Operations, Berhanu Jula (Gen.), told reporters yesterday that life is returning back to normal in West Wollega Zone of the Oromia Regional State after more than a month of complete breakdown of law and order and heavy fighting between armed groups and members of ENDF deployed in the area to restore peace and order.

In a bid to form a nationwide, unified and strong opposition political party together with other like-minded opposition parties; the general assembly of the Semayawi Party a.k.a. Blue has decided to cease the existence of the party as of December 30, 2018, Getaneh Balcha, vice chairman of the party told The Reporter.

Days after a wave of protest hit different cities and towns of Oromia Regional State, prompted by killings and displacements in West Oromia, political parties mainly operating in the region have agreed to establish a forum.

Prime Minister Abiy Ahmed (PhD) met and discussed with members and leaders of opposition political parties who have returned home and those who are conducting their political activities in the country following the call by the PM during his inaugural speech back in April.

In an unusual turn of event, Semayawi Party a.k.a Blue expressed its support and allegiance to the ongoing reform executed by the ruling party–the Ethiopian Peoples’ Revolutionary Democratic Front (EPRDF)–and the work it is doing in maintaining peace, order and stability in the country, adding that party ideologies should not halt all parties to cooperate.

The Oromo Liberation Front (OLF)/ABO which is said to have around 4,300 soldiers in the country and of which only 1,500 have disarmed thus far, told The Reporter this week that it is working with authorities to fully disarm its fighters and further its peaceful engagement in the political space in Ethiopia.

Following the call and invitation to all political parties to engage in the national political agendas of the country, the Oromo Liberation Front (OLF), headed by Dawed Ibsa, and the United Liberation Forces of Oromia (ULFO), headed by Abdejelil Abdela, recently decided to work together as of September 26, 2018, Ibsa Negewo, Member of the Executive Committee of OLF, told The Reporter.

Following the call by the Prime Minister Abiy Ahmed (PhD) to opposition parties residing outside the country to organize their struggles in a different form; the head of communication of the National Electoral Board of Ethiopia (NEBE), Tesfalem Abay told The Reporter that none of the parties that have returned have appeared for the registration purposes.